Insurance

3 Reasons to Start a Life Insurance Plan for Your Child Today

Posted on by agentinsure

Purchasing life insurance is not necessarily an enjoyable experience for anyone, but it’s certainly an important part of taking care of your family. Here are the top three reasons to start a life insurance plan for your child today.

1. You’ll lock in a great premium rate.

It’s well-known that when it comes to life insurance, the best premium rates can be locked in when you are young and healthy. And there’s no one younger or healthier than a child.

2. You’ll provide collateral for your child later in life.

As your child gets older, they may like to take out a line of credit for a car or a house. In this case, they’ll need collateral for the loan, and a whole life insurance policy that they’ve had since infancy or childhood can serve as solid collateral in this case. It can even be a source of quick cash if you end up purchasing a whole life insurance policy for your child and it has a feature for cash value.

3. You’ll put your mind at ease.

Life insurance is not something that people get excited to buy because it comes with the acceptance that terrible, unexpected events can occur in life. We don’t like to think about these things, but it’s also responsible to be prepared. Getting a life insurance plan for your child now can put your mind at ease.

Get in Touch With Front Range Insurance Services Today

Are you a resident of Littleton, CO who is looking for life insurance for your child? If so, get in touch with Front Range Insurance Services today. We serve the area of Littleton, CO and can help you find the perfect plan for your child today. We can even help you and your spouse get life insurance if you don’t have it already. Now is the time to purchase a life insurance plan that can put your mind at ease. Visit our nearest insurance agency location or give us a direct call to find out about your options.

The Pros and Cons of Business Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

Many small businesses are on the fence about whether they should buy business insurance or not. If you find yourself debating, making out a pro and con list may help you. At Front Range Insurance Services, serving the greater Littleton, CO area, we know this is a hard decision to make. This is why we are providing you with factual and honest pros and cons. Here are the top pros and cons of business insurance.

The Cons of Business Insurance

It Costs Money

One of the biggest downsides to commercial business insurance is that it is another expense. It costs money, and odds are, you will never end up needing to use it. As such, if money is really tight, you may want to gamble and play the odds and not obtain this type of insurance.

The Pros of Business Insurance

It Can Save You Money

The biggest benefit to business insurance is that it can save you money if you need to file a claim. While it is true that most people will not end up using their policy, if you need to, it can save you thousands of dollars. Business insurance protects against a variety of unforeseen circumstances, such as a partner dying or being unable to work, lose of income from storms, theft and vandalism. While this type of insurance is an added business expense, most businesses cannot afford not to have it.

If you have decided that business insurance, more commonly referred to as commercial insurance, is right for you, let Front Range Insurance Services, serving the Littleton, CO area, help you. Call us now to review policies and to obtain price quotes.

How to Spring Clean This Year

Posted on by agentinsure

Every year, spring comes around and with it comes the idea of spring cleaning. Whether you have always done some form of spring cleaning or you have always had it on your list to do for your home in Littleton, CO, this is the year you are going to master it. Be sure to use these tips from Front Range Insurance Services for your spring cleaning. 

  • Dust everything. You will be surprised by how much dust builds up over the course of just a few months and if you have not done it in longer, it will be even worse. Spring is a great time to get rid of all of that dust and you will be able to breathe easier inside as a result.
  • Choose one or two projects to focus on. You do not want to overwhelm yourself with too many things on your list. Choose one or two things that are most important to you and make those a focus. If you finish them and want to do more, you can certainly do so but don’t overwhelm yourself at first. 
  • Get some help. You do not have to do all of this alone. You can ask family and friends for help. The tasks will be completed much faster and you will have a lot more fun doing it. Just be sure to offer the same in return.

Once you have made your plan for spring cleaning, you also need to make sure you have a plan to make sure your home is well protected. The best way to do that is with a home insurance policy. If you do not already have one, you can contact Front Range Insurance Services, serving Littleton, CO, for a free quote that meets your needs and budget. 

Understanding the Increase in Auto Insurance Rates

Posted on by Jessica Ceriani

For the last three years I’ve spent spring break week enjoying a road trip with my family. This vacation always seems to happen right before my auto insurance renewal generates. This year was no different and like many of you I grumbled when I saw my premium. After all, I’ve had no accidents, tickets, or claims of any kind. Sigh.

For over 5 years Colorado has been experiencing increases on home insurance. Given our catastrophic hail losses and wildfires, most people understand these increases. However, we are just starting to see the beginning of industry-wide auto insurance rate increases. This is a national concern, but has significantly impacted Colorado for a number of reasons. I’d like to thank Safeco Insurance for sharing some of these reasons with their sales force.

MORE MILES: One reason is that we are driving more miles. Turns out I wasn’t alone on my spring break road trip. Encouraged by lower gas prices and higher employment rates, U.S. drivers drove 3.1 trillion miles in 2015 according to the Federal Highway Administration. That’s a record.

MORE NEW CARS: New car sales hit a record in 2015, just under 17.5 million vehicles sold, up 5.7 percent from 2014. The safety, technology, and convenience features are great – however the cost to repair or replace them isn’t cheap.

MEDICAL COSTS RISING: Along with the increase in severity and frequency of accidents, we are also seeing an increase in medical costs. From 2005 to 2013, the average cost for a bodily injury claim rose 32.1 percent, according to the Insurance Research Council.

MORE DISTRACTED DRIVING: I know this one doesn’t come as a surprise, but the number of distracted drivers on the road is on the rise. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many accidents are caused by distracted driving because accident reports don’t always cite if a cell phone or other distraction was a contributing factor. I’m sure that most of you can personally attest to witnessing all of the distracted drivers out there.

As I enjoyed my road trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, I made an effort to be a focused driver. Between my two children (occasionally bickering in the back seat), my cell phone (alerting me for every email and text), my GPS, and the DVD player entertaining the children — let’s face it — there are plenty of distractions.

OUR RESPONSE: We take customer service seriously and many of our clients have told us that this is what sets us apart. We’ve implemented a new system that allows us to better monitor all client renewals. We are double checking and looking for any new discounts that might apply and we are taking advantage of our companies that offer usage based insurance programs. Our goal is always to find the right coverages at a competitive price.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage

Posted on by agentinsure

Water damage in a home is something you always want to prevent in Littleton, CO. Not only is it something that can really put you in a bind financially, it is something that must be taken care of as soon as possible. You need to stop the water from running and then get it fixed soon so you do not have mold. Instead of just hoping that it will not happen to you, you should take some precautions and use these tips from Front Range Insurance Services to prevent it from happening.

  • Watch your water bill. One of the first signs of a water leak can be an increase in your water bill. As long as you do not have a valid reason for the increase, you should get everything checked out. You could already have a small water leak and need to fix it before it becomes something bigger.
  • Be careful where you plant. It isn’t an issue now but if you have pipes underground, you need to make sure you plant where root growth will not cause you trouble later.
  • Never pour grease down your sink. Even if you use hot or cold water to pour it down, you should avoid doing it because you could still end up with buildup and a blockage that can result in a burst pipe.

These tips can really help you prevent water damage but there is no way to 100 percent prevent it. Another thing that you should do to help protect yourself, your home, and your finances is by getting a good home insurance policy that includes a clause about water damage. If you do not have one yet or simply want someone to ensure you are protected, be sure to contact Front Range Insurance Services serving Littleton, CO today.

Important Safety Tips for Your RV

Posted on by agentinsure

RV’s are a pleasure to own. They are a great way to get up and down the nation’s beautiful highways. However, unlike traditional automobiles, there are several things you need to do to make sure they are road-ready and safe to travel.

Inspect Everything

Before you hit the road on that summer tour, make sure you inspect all of the essential systems, such as the exhaust, fuel tanks, and the propane tank system. Make sure all houses and connections are clean and not damaged. Make sure nothing is worn down and make sure all safety valves are properly functioning.

Practice Driving

Even if you are an experienced driver, make sure you know how to handle an RV. They are very top heavy, and drive more akin to a bus or an 18-wheeler. Learn how to go easy on the brakes and how to do S.A.F.E. cornering.  Also, take a look at your route, and make sure you know what kind of traffic you will be dealing with. Finally, make sure that you know your height clearance to avoid running into any low hanging overpasses or tunnels.

Get Good Coverage

Depending on if you treat your RV as your full time home, or as a pure recreational vehicle, you will need the proper insurance coverage. This is when it is a good time to contact an experienced, licensed insurance agent to find out your options and to get a quote.

Front Range Insurance Services, serving the Littleton, CO area, can help you get the right coverage for your RV. Contact them today with any questions you might have and let them get you into the right insurance policy.

What is Professional Malpractice Insurance? Do I need it?

Posted on by agentinsure

Most people know that doctors, dentists, and lawyers need malpractice insurance, yet so do accountants, financial planners, computer analysts, journalists, realtors, and many other professionals.

A lawsuit against any professional for “malpractice,” can occur in surprising ways. There is no need to make a mistake to suffer an attack of a lawsuit. Of course, if a mistake is made the chance of a lawsuit may be higher; however, lawsuits may arise from misunderstandings as well. The courts in America, which is the most litigious society on earth, are full of lawsuits based on misunderstandings and even those that are considered “frivolous,” with no basis in fact whatsoever.

Malpractice insurance is understood more clearly when the insurance is called Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance.

Here is an example of where E&O insurance applies. Imagine a stockbroker gets an order from a client to buy or sell a stock. If the broker makes a mistake when entering the order and does the wrong thing by accident, there can be a large problem for the client’s account. If the broker was supposed to sell a stock and instead buys it, the losses may be substantial. If a loss occurs because a broker made a mistake, then E&O insurance is necessary to cover the mistake.

Accountants, lawyers, computer analysts, and many other professionals can also make mistakes. These mistakes may be costly and cause a lawsuit from any people that suffer damages. As a rule, any professional that needs to have a license by a state or other authority benefits from having “malpractice” or E&O insurance.

How much malpractice insurance do I need?
There are two considerations when thinking about malpractice insurance. The first one is the possibility of a huge award that comes from a lawsuit. The second one is the cost of the legal defense. Even if the lawsuit does not result in an award, in other words, you win; you still have the potential of enormous legal fees that arise simply from the defense of your case.

Be sure to check in with the agents at Front Range Insurance Services to review your commercial insurance coverage for malpractice issues.

 

 

Colorado Motorcyclists: Why You Should get Insured Today

Posted on by agentinsure

Insurance in Littleton, CO is not only a good idea for safety reasons, but for legal reasons as well. It is a great experience to drive around Colorado’s famous mountain roads, but no matter how good you are at riding on your bike, you are always going to run the risk that you wind up in an accident – either due to your own mistakes made or the mistakes of someone else on the road. There are a variety of hardships a person may face due to procrastinating on becoming insured. For instance:

  • You could find yourself encumbered by medical debt due to serious injury in a car accident (an injury that can have many greater implications than just financial loss)
  • Your motorcycle could be damaged, and depending on the severity of the injury, it could result in anything from a small repair job, to a big repair job, or perhaps even a complete replacement (an entirely untenable choice for anyone who has formed an attachment with their vehicle).
  • Your license could become suspended if police were to discover that you are not insured. Not only would this prevent you from driving, it would limit you from having access to all of the places that you need to get, like your place or work.

None of those sound like a great time, so hopefully Front Range Insurance Services can help you find the insurance plan that works best for you.

Colorado drivers specifically should take note that in recent years, the Colorado government has eliminated the no-fault auto insurance system. What this may mean for you may vary from person to person, so be sure to read further into this. Either way, if you need further clarifications or if you just have a comment you want to make, you can contact Front Range Insurance Services online or by phone at (303) 951-5982.

Ways To Prep Your Boat For Summer Fun

Posted on by agentinsure

For many people, summer is the best part of the year and there are so many things that you can do to have fun. A really popular way to have fun throughout the summer is with a boat, especially if you live near a body of water such as a lake or the ocean. With the weather heating up and the days getting longer, you probably cannot wait to actually get out on the water this summer. Before you do, though, there are a few things you should do to your boat to make sure it is as ready for all the fun as you are. Use these tips to get started.

  • Get a tune up for your boat. You should make it a habit to get a tune up every single year on your boat and this is the perfect time of year to do it so you always remember. 
  • Since you likely did not get your boat out at all in the winter, you will want to check your battery to make sure it is still strong. If it isn’t, make sure you get a new one so you can actually get on the water.
  • De-winterize your boat. If you winterized it before the cold weather, be sure to de-winterize it for the summer.
  • Make sure you have life jackets and a working fire extinguisher on board just in case you need it.

Even by doing all of these things, if you do not have a good boat insurance policy for your protection, then you are still not ready to get out on the water. Contact us at Front Range Insurance Services today for take a look at some options for you or even take a look at your current policy.

Front Range Insurance Services Celebrates Those Who Give Back

Posted on by agentinsure

Front Range Insurance Services has been serving the Littleton, Colorado community for over ten years. Jessica Ceriani with her father Donald J. Striplin started the company in 2004. He always taught her the importance of giving back to the community. Donald is a frequent volunteer. Jessica is following along in his footsteps. This father/daughter team is amazing in what they have accomplished together.

Here are some ways to participate in community involvement in Littleton, Colorado:

Volunteer to Help – Volunteermatch.org shows hundreds of volunteer opportunities in Littleton, including fun things like helping the Colorado Wind Ensemble or helping out at the Carson Nature Center.

Help the Littleton City Government – The Bemis Library and Littleton Museum always need some volunteer help. There is also the unique program called the “Snow Squad,” which helps Littleton citizens over the age of sixty by shoveling the snow from their sidewalks when they are not able to do the task themselves.

Help at the Hospital – Littleton Adventist Hospital has plenty of volunteer opportunities. These are especially good for those going into the healthcare field.

Help a Horse in Need – For those who love horses, the place to help by donating money or by volunteering is the Zumas Rescue Ranch. They rescue abused and neglected horses. They bring them back to good health. They have a wonderful program working the horses with children that have learning disabilities and other problems.

Help Pandas – Littleton is the home of Pandas International, an organization dedicated to help preserve Pandas.

Therapy Animals – Denver Pet Partners takes therapy animals into hospitals to improve patients’ emotional well-being and speed recovery.

Summary
There are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved in community service in Littleton. Front Range Insurance Services has a great deal of admiration for those doing volunteer work. We feel that helping others with kindness, including with their insurance coverage, is our mission. Please contact us for any insurance needs.